IFAD to engage more farmers in millet cultivation in Sokoto state

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on Thursday restated commitment to engage more farmers in Millet cultivation in Sokoto state.

Dr Aminu Aliyu, the state programme coordinator made the pledge during farmers display on millet produce in Tangaza Local Government Area of the state.

Aliyu, represented by the state programme Engineering Officer, Malam Yahaya Gangara, said that the programme was aimed at show casing the potentials of farming activities, particularly in the areas of millet production.

“It was also to exchange ideas among various farmers in the area.

“This is in order to complement one another and exchange ideas to ensure a bumper harvest of millet produce in the state and to enhance food security in the country.

“As such, IFAD will continue to engage more farmers in its Climate Change Adaptation and Agribusiness Support Programme (CASP) to ensure the procurement of seeds that can yield a better harvest.

“Our mission is to ensure the selected farmers become the seasonal Ambassadors of IFAD to mobilise others to participate fully in the next season of millet farming,” he said.

Aliyu explained that IFAD had since engaged Agricultural industries to purchase all farm produce from the farmers in order to ease their transaction after harvest.

He called on farmers to judiciouly utilised the farming techniques learnt from IFAD in order to ensure a better harvest across the country.

Earlier, the local government Chairman, Alhaji Nura Dalhatu commended IFAD’s desire for supporting farmers and farming activities in the state.

Dalhatu assured farmers that the local government will continue to procure seed for distribution to various farmers across all villages in the council.

He maintained that the local government will ensure that all farmers in the area benefitted from the gesture to boost food security in the communities.